I was just wondering how many trached or non-trached Lap-banders there are. How long after you got banded did you get decannulated (removal of the trach)? Just curious.

JudyH

what are you talking about. i dont understand. ??

A trach is a "pipe" that is inserted in someone's neck to help them to breath better. I am trached. Obviously you are not. Decannulation is when it is removed.

That's a new one to me, never heard of someone getting that with their lap-band before.

Laura I don't think you get it "with" the band, you already have it when you get banded.

Ohhh... then I misunderstood what she was saying

You know what is funny is that now that I re read the post I see exactly where you got that from! Maybe some people do get it during?

OK. I'll tell my whole sordid story. Four years ago I went into Respiratory Failure due to obesity. I was in the hospital for a month, 3 weeks in a drug-induced coma to let my lungs heal, trached and I was on a ventilator to aid in breathing. I then was transferred to a nursing home/subacute rehab center where I was for six months, the first three months being weaned off the ventilator. In the process of getting heathlier, I lost 100 lbs eating the "tasty" nursing home food.

Fast forward 4 years, I had gained the 100 lbs back. My primary doctor suggested weight loss surgery and here I am. A trached Lap-bander. I was just wondering if anyone else has a trach or had a trach.

JudyH :whoo:

Yeah, I thought she meant they put it in during banding, and then they remove it at some point (like the drainage tubes for RNY).

Judy- Sounds very painful Hope this helps you!

If it's like people coming off of blood pressure, diabetes meds, etc.. due to losing weight. Sounds like 3-6 months is when people were being taken off of those, just from what I've read on the boards.

Exactly. I had to be weaned off the ventilator. Stayed 6 months so I could lose weight which I did. I'm used to the trach and all that goes with it but I'm retired and I want to enjoy my retirement. I love to travel but when you have a trach you have a lot of medical equipment to carry along.

Capt. Jack,

Good for you. I may not have as much equipment as you did but I have my share!!! Suction machine (UGH), concentrator and assorted other stuff.

preBand my travels were complicated by having to carry along these:

1) insulin kit with cooler bag; needles, meter & strips for multiple daily sticks;

2) OTHER meds;

3) CPAP;

4) extra leg & gear (amputee);

I felt like a MASH unit.

postBand:

I'm down to a few meds, no insulin, no CPAP. Less extra leg gear.

Can 'move out' with far fewer supplies.

Jack, keep posting buddy. I enjoy your sense of Humour and always learn something new each time I read a post..

Stay well, and inspirational. :clap2:

OK. I'll tell my whole sordid story. Four years ago I went into Respiratory Failure due to obesity. I was in the hospital for a month, 3 weeks in a drug-induced coma to let my lungs heal, trached and I was on a ventilator to aid in breathing. I then was transferred to a nursing home/subacute rehab center where I was for six months, the first three months being weaned off the ventilator. In the process of getting heathlier, I lost 100 lbs eating the "tasty" nursing home food.

Fast forward 4 years, I had gained the 100 lbs back. My primary doctor suggested weight loss surgery and here I am. A trached Lap-bander. I was just wondering if anyone else has a trach or had a trach.

JudyH :whoo:

Judy...

A friend of mine has a trach but not due to obesity, something different. We have the same food challenges but for different reasons. She is not banded although she needs to be.

The biggest concern I would have for you would be PBing or barfing while trached. Then there is anesthesia during the procedure. I'm shocked at how many anesthesiologists don't do this often enough to know how to handle trached patients.

I can put you in touch with my friend that has a trach. She knows all my issues banded, we have discussed them in detail. We compare notes often because our eating issues are so similar. And, she's a nurse.

I can certainly see why you are choosing a band over other WLS procedures. It makes a great deal of sense. You'll want to go to a doc that really seriously specializes in difficult cases. Just please, don't go to a newbie. Go to the doc that others docs refer patients when they are in over their head. Not many are able to do the tougher cases, those with serious and life threatening comorbidities, those with unusual comorbidities, etc. Honestly, in your case (and this is the first time I have ever written this) I wouldn't DREAM of going to anyone with less than 1000 bands. Find someone that does revisions on a routine basis, someone that really focuses on the tough stuff. Give yourself every advantage. This may be a challenge with your insurance company, fight them. Do what is necessary to get your insurance to agree to the doc of your choice.

Of course, this means a great deal of research on your part.

Have you vomited since trached?